Pneumatic pumping-machine



No. 6I5,760. Patented Dec. l3, I898.. J. 8. SMITH. PNEUMATIC PUMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 9, 1896.1

(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet I.

Patented Dec. I3, 1898. J. 8. SMITH.

PNEUMATIC PUMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 9, 1896.1

6 ShaetsfSheat 2.

(No Model.)

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J. 8. SMITH.

PNEUMATIC PUMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 9, 1896.1

Patented Dec. l3, I898.

6 Shanty-Shem 3.

No. 6l5,760. Patented Dec. I3, I898} J. s. SMITH.

PNEUMATIC PUMPING MACHINE.

(Application filed iuly 9, 1696.\

(No Model.)

6 Shqets-Shaet 4.

I 40 -58 37-" r -4 P N0. 615,760. Patented Dec. 13, I898. J. s. smm.

PNEUMATIC PUMPING MACHINE (Application filed July 9, 1896.) (N 0 M n d e I.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB 's. SMITH, on

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATIC PUMPING-MACHINE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,760, dated December 13, 1898. Application filed July 9, 1896- Serial No. 598,606. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, J AOOB S. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Pneumatic Pumping Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an apparatus for accumulating at a central station, conveying thence by pipe-line to distant points, and there utilizing compressed air or gas by admitting the same into that part of the apparatus contained in the well and consisting of two strings of tubing, one string within the other, as hereinafter shown, and is operated, controlled, and regulated from such central station by means of electrical appliances, the object of my invention being to simultane ously control from such central station any number of Artesian wells located at different points for the purpose of pumping the same by admitting such compressed air or gas into the outer string of tubing, thus ejecting the contents of the Well through the inner string, or'vice versa. I attain that object by the use of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in WhlGl1-- Figure 1 is a View of my invention in elevation, and Fig. 1" is a view of a system of Wells to'which my invention is applied. Fig. 2 is an upright sectional view of the stop. Fig. 2 is a view of a modification. Fig. 3 is a sectional View of the piston-valve, showing its transverse passage open; and Fig. 3 is a similar View of the same, showing its transverse passage closed. Fig. 4 is an upright sectional View of the hanger. Fig. 5 is an electromagnetic motor in elevation, and Fig. 5 is a plan of the same. Fig. 6 is the indicator in elevation in operation, and Fig. 7 is a similar view of the same at rest. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 show that part of my invention contained in the well with the pressure and contents of the wellin three relatively diderent positions.

Similar numbers and letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The apparatus.--Figs. l and 1 show the compressing engine a connected with the pipe-line b and the dynamo or battery 0 and the alarm and switchboard 61 connected with the electric wires 6, located at the central station f, said pipe-line I) having a dehydrator g,

attached near the central station f, extend ing thence and connected to the outer string of tubing 1, and said wires e also extending thence and connected to the electromagnetic motor and valve shown in Fig. 5 and attached to the pipe-line b and to the indicator shown in Fig. 6 and attached to the discharge h of the inner string of tubing2, which are located near the well i at the distant pointj and communicate thence with that part of my invention located in the well i and consisting of the hanger shown in Fig. 4:, the piston-valve shown in Fig. 3, and the stop shown in Fig. 2 and attached to the outer string of tubing 1 and the inner string of tubing 2.

In Fig. 2 is illustrated the mechanism at tached to the lower portion of the inner string of tubing, the duty of this part of my invention being to prevent the contents of the tubing from retreating into the recesses of the well upon the admission of pressure from above. This mechanism, which I call the stop, consists of a section of the inner string of tubing 2, to which is attached a yoke 3, which, with the inner string of tubing 2, is suspended, raised, and lowered from the hanger shown in Fig. at. The yoke 3 fits loosely between the wall of the outer tubing 1 and the cage of the ball-valve at, and when lowered rests upon the wedge-rimmed plate 5, which is thusforced downward along the lower section or central pipe 2 of the inner tubing, and by the weight thus applied expands the rubber packer 6, which is secured to the inner tubing 2 by the resti, which position, together with air or gas pressure admitted from above to close the ball-valve 4;, effects the stop, preventing the upward or downward 'flow of liquid or gas through the perforations S. Thepacker 6 normally permits the liquid to flow between the central pipe 2 and the walls of the outer tubing 1, the object of such normal passage being to facilitate the flow of liquid into the tubing above by the natural tendency of the fluid in the well torise until the force of the pressure in the well is equaled by the weight of the liquid and to obviate the difiiculties usually incident tothe accumulation of paraffin or other substances in the ball-valve 4. In the practical operation of this part of my inven tion as soon as the accumulation of liquid in the tubing prevents the flow of gas from the well it becomes necessary to eject the same. This is done by the application of pressure from above, which expands the packer 6 to close the annular space or the normal passage between the tubing 2 and the outer tubing 1. This may be done either by the weight of the tubing 2 and the yoke 3 resting upon the wedge-rimmed plate 5 or by charging the other tubing with equivalent air or gas pressure, and when such pressure is removed the packer 6 will resume its former position, leaving the normal passage. The packer is so constructed that this operation may be repeated whenever the accumulation in the tubing above necessitates the pumping of the well. The reason for inserting the inner tubing 2 is to form a support for the packer 6 independently of the outer tubing, and at the same time by using the ball-valve in the inner tubing 2 in connection with the expandable character of the packer 6 allows the greatest passage consistent with practical mechanics and the successful operation of my apparatus.

A thread is out in the top of the cage of the ball-valve 4 to enable the operator to extract the portion 2 of the inner tubing by means of suckerrods or other appliances.

' Figs. 3 and 3 illustrate the form of valve, one or more of which are connected with the inner string of tubing 2, intersecting the same at desired intervals, the valve being capable of being opened and closed by the longitudinal movement of the tubing with which it is connected by means of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, the duty of this part of my invention being to procure the application of pressure to the column of contents of the tubing by way of a transverse passage between the inner and outer strings of tubing through the valve at the point where the same is connected and at the same time maintain a longitudinal passage through the same without the use of ball, plug, lid, stem, or wheel, or other similar contrivances. This valve consists of a piece of tubing 9, provided with threads 10 upon the outer surface of the upper end to permit connection with the inner string of tubing, perforations 11 being provided at the sides upon a line encircling the same and having an outwardly-projecting shoulder 12 encircling the same and being a part thereof at the lower end; a tube-like sleeve 13, provided with threads 14 upon the inner surface of the lower end, perforations 15 being provided at the sides upon a line encircling the same, an encircling groove 16 upon the inner surface upon the same line and communicating with the perforations 11, and a recess 18, extending from a point slightly below the lower edge of the groove 16 to its lower end and of sufficient depth to receive the shoulder 12, and a bushing 19, provided with a thread 20 upon the outer surface of the upper end and to receive the thread 14 and provided with threads 21 upon the inner surface of the lower end to receive the thread of the inner string of tubing 2, and the upper end of the same forming a rest 22 for the shoulder 12. The tube 9 forms a piston without packing of any kind within the sleeve 13, its shoulder 12 reciprocating in the recess 18 between the upper end of the same and the rest 22 and is the immediate means employed to operate the valve, thus: Fig. 3 illustrates the valve open by lowering the tube 9 to contact by the shoulder 12 upon the rest 22, thus connecting the ports 11 and 15 by way of the groove 16 and forming a transverse passage between the inner and outer strings of tubing through the valve, the longitudinal passage remaining intact. Fig. 3" illustrates the valve closed by raising the tube 9 and carrying the ports 11. upward in the sleeve 13, the longitudinal passage remaining intact.

lhe hcmger.Fig. 4 illustrates a mechanism attached to and upon the upper end of the outer string of tubing above the mouth of the well, forming the upper part of my invention contained in the well, from which is suspended the inner string of tubing 2, the duty of this part of my invention being to manipulate the valve shown in Fig. 3 and the stop shown in Fig. 2. This hanger consists of the stuffingbox 23 and the bracket 24, fastened together by means of the screws 25. A section of the inner string of tubing 2 is attached by means of the coupling 26 to the screw 27, thus pass ing through the stuffing-box 23. The screw 27 extends through a suitable opening in the crown 23 of the bracket 24, at which point it is suspended, raised, lowered, and locked by means of the nuts 29 and 30, and is attached to the upper end of the outer string of tubing 1 by means of the coupling 31.

The eZectromagnetic m0z50'r.Figs. 5 and 5" illustrate a mechanism in which a lever oscillating upon a fulcrum located between the points of resistance and power is operated by means of two electrom agnets, the duty of this part of my invention being to procure reversible power by a to-and-fro motion at distant points by the transmission from a central station of electrical currents to the said electromagnets operating said lever. The lever 32 rests and oscillates upon the fulcrum formed by the bearing 33 and is held securely in position by the box 34, which is supported by the legs or hanger 35, fastened to the bed-plate 36 at a point within the U of the magnets 37 and 38 by means of the nuts and bolts 39. The lever 32 at the point of power 40 is of sufficient breadth and height to cover the entire surface of the poles of the magnets, as shown by the lines 41, so that alternately energizing the electromagnets 37 and 38 controls the point of power 40 of the lever 32, thus operating at the point of resistance 42 the valve 1) in the pipe-line b, said valve 17 being loosely connected with the said lever by means of the crank 44 and the bolt and nut 45.

The indicazfmz-Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a mechanism constructed and operated after the manner of a simple straight-arm balance, the weighted extremity of which, by the deposit of the contents of the well in the pan extremity, contacts with an electric wire comm unicating with an alarm at the central station,

- the duty of this part of my invention being to indicate the commencement, duration, and cessation of the flow of the liquid in the wells. The pan 46, the weight 47, and the contact 48 are attached to or form a part of the bar 49, which rests and oscillates by the pivots 50 upon each side upon the hanger 51, forming the fulcrum, and strapped to the discharge h of the inner string of tubing 2, so that the pan 46 is under the nozzle of the discharge h by means of the bolt and nut 52. Upon the deposit of the contents of the well into the pan 46 the contact 48 engages with the wire 6, inserted in the socket 53, which is also strapped to the discharge h by means of the bolt and nut 54. The pan 46 is slightly perforated in the bottom 55, through which upon the cessation of the flow of the well it is emptied into the tank Z, whereupon this mechanism assumes the position illustrated in Fig. 7

Fig. 8 illustrates that part of my invention located in thewell at rest, with the stop shown in Fig. 2 resting upon the bottom of the well, contacted with the wall of the well by the rubber packer m, the hanger shown in Fig. 4, with the pipeline 1) and the discharge 7t, resting upon and attached to the outer tubing 1 at the mouth of the well, and the inner string of tubing 2, with two piston-valves shown in Fig. 3 attached, suspended from the hanger shown in Fig. 4, showing fluid of equal height in both strings of tubing 1 and 2 at a point below the lower pistonvalve shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 illustrates the same part of my invention in the same position last above described, except that pressure is admitted from the pipe-line b into the outer tubing 1 which pressure, operating independently of or in conjunction with the weight of the inner string of tubing 2 upon the ball-valve 4, the plate 5, and the packer 6, closes the same, thus effecting the stop shown in Fig. 2, and raises the contents of the well through the inner tubing 2 at its opening in the yoke 3 to a point above the first piston-valve shown in Fig. 3, which is now opened by lowering the inner string of tubing 2 by means of the screw and nuts in the hanger shown in Fig. 4 until it rests with the yoke 3 upon the plate 5, thus admitting pressure through the transverse passage in the valve shown in Fig. 3 from the outer to the inner string of tubing, and thus raising the contents of the well through the latter to the point above the second pistonvalve shown in Fig. 3, which remains closed, as shown.

Fig. 10 illustrates the same part of my invention in the same position as last described, except that both the piston-valves shown in Fig. 3 are open, thus admitting more pres sure from the outer string of tubing 1 into the inner string of tubing 2 and ejecting the contents of the well through the discharge h.

The size and power of the different parts of my invent-ion and the number of the pistonvalves attached to the inner tubing depend upon the number of wells operated, the quantity of water or other contents in the wells to be ejected, and the available degree of pressure and the depth of the wells relatively considered, all the parts of this apparatus to be made of iron or other metal, except where herein otherwise specified.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated a modification in which the stop shown in Fig. 2 and auxiliaries are omitted, the inner pipe 2, provided with perforations, extending to the bottom of the well. This form is applicable to wells where the pressure from beneath is sufficient to counteract the pressure from above, and thecavities in the, well are of such character that the contents of the tubing will not readily retreat from the tubings upon application of compressed air. The valves, Figs. 3 and 3, may be employed as in the construction before described and operated in the same manner.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a well, the combination with outer and inner tubing communicating by a passage near the lower end, of a central pipe below said passage, a valve in said central pipe opening to pressure from beneath and closing to pressure from above, a packer surrounding said central pipe and normally permitting fluid to flow between said central pipe and the walls of said outer tubing, and means for pressing the exterior of said packer against the walls of said outer tubing by pressure applied from above, substantially as described.

2. In a well, the combination with an outer tubing and an inner tubing provided near the lower end with an opening leading into the outer tubing, a valve for sealing the inner tubing below said opening, opening to pressure from below and closing to pressure from above, a packer surrounding the inner tubing below said opening and normally permitting fluid to flow between said .inner tubing and the walls of said outer tubing and expanding against the walls of said outer tubing by pressure from above, means for supplying compressed air to the upper end of one of said tubings and an exit-duct for the fluid provided at the upper end of the other tub ing, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the outer tubing 1, of the inner tubing 2 and 2, the packer 6 be; tween the said inner tubing 2" and the outer tubing, the valve for sealing the inner tubing 2, the yoke 3 secured to the inner tubing 2, means for moving said inner tubing 2 longitudinally, and a valve or valves in the inner tubing 2, opened and closed by the movement of the upper sections of the inner tubing 2, substantially as described.

4. The combination with the outer tubing 1, of the inner tubing 2 and the inner tubing 2, the packer 6 between the said inner tubing 2 and the outer tubing, the valve for sealing the upper end of the inner tubing 2, the yoke secured to the inner tubing 2, and means for moving said inner tubing 2 longitudinally to bring said yoke into engagement with said packer, substantially as described.

5. In a well, the combination with the outer and inner tubings communicating by a passage near the lower end, of a central pipe below said passage, a valve therein, a packer surrounding said central pipe, said inner tubing being formed in longitudinally-movable sections, a yoke supported upon the end of the lower section, ports or openings in said inner tubings at intervals, means for lowering and raising said inner tubing to bring said yoke into engagement with said packer and to move the sections of the inner tubing longitudinally to successively open and close the ports or passages therein, means for supplying compressed air to the upper end of one of said tubings, and an exit-duct for the fluid provided at the upper end of the other tubing, substantially as described.

6. In a plurality of wells, the combination with an outer and inner tubing in each well, of means for supplying compressed air or gas to the upper end of one of said tubings in each well, and an exit-duct provided at the upper end of the other of said tubings in each well, a valve in said first-mentioned tubing at each well to control the pressure-supply thereto, means for operating all of said valves from a common point, and signaling apparatus at said common point communicating with said exit-duct at each well, and operated by the flow of liquid from each well, whereby the several wells may be controlled from a common point, substantially as described.

JACOB S. SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. E. SPAAK, S. P. LEONARD 

